Charlestown Township
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The second business meeting for November was held November 17, 2003, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Paul Hogan, Chairman, Hugh Willig, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Mike Rodgers, Kevin R. Kuhn, Thomas Oeste, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Tom Comitta, Tom Corcoran, Court Reporter, Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, Melanie M. Lammers, Recording Secretary, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:29 P.M.
Mr. Hogan announced that a friend of his, Mr. Fred Glansky, is interested in using his metal detector to look for artifacts on the Longwood School property. Mr. Hogan said the agreement would be that anything found would become the property of the Charlestown Township Historical Commission. Mr. Glansky explained the process he goes through to retrieve an item from the ground. Using a small gardening trowel, he removes a 3-4" plug, retrieves the object, and returns the plug. He said there is no intense environmental damage to the site. Mr. Hogan moved to allow Mr. Glansky to pursue attempting to retrieve artifacts from the grounds of the Longwood School with the provision that all findings would be turned over to the Charlestown Township Historical Commission, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and their being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli met with PennDOT regarding the installation of a traffic signal at Route 29 and Buckwalter Road. PennDOT indicated the location does not comply with the warrants necessary to install a traffic signal, but due to a sight distance issue, would probably approve a red, flashing light. Mr. Hogan suggested they pursue having the red, flashing light installed. Mr. Kohli added that the Township can apply for the standard traffic signal every six months. Mrs. Ewald asked what the cost of upgrading from the flashing light to the standard light would be, and Mr. Kohli responded his best guess is that it would cost 60-65% more. Mr. Kohli added that one reason the standard signal has not been approved, is that there is no significant accident history. Mr. Kuhn asked if the Realen agreement provides for traffic controls or traffic signals. Mr. Oeste said he believes it is for a traffic signal, and that Realen should pay for this flashing light. Mrs. Ewald said she is disappointed that a standard traffic signal was not approved, and finds it offensive that someone has to be injured or killed before such a light would be approved. Mr. Rodgers moved to pursue having the red, flashing light installed, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mrs. Ewald added that the Township should reapply to PennDOT every six months to try to get approval for the standard traffic signal. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Hogan announced that the Eagle Scout project to add an observation deck overlooking the pond at the Nature Trail is underway, with the footings already installed.
There were no Citizen’s Forum/Non-agenda items discussed.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the November 3, 2003 minutes subject to the following corrections:
Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. Mr.Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The following hearings were reported by Court Reporter, Tom Corcoran.
Mr. Oeste opened the record and indicated he had received a letter from Joseph P. Ryan, Esq., requesting a continuance to December 15, 2003. Mr. Oeste continued the hearing to that date with the caveat that, if Mr. Bender and his witness cannot be present, the hearing would take place at the next regularly scheduled public meeting.
Mr. Oeste described the ordinance amendments and asked for public comment. There being none, the hearing was closed. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt ordinance #112-2003, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Comitta summarized the amendments. Mr. Oeste said the basic goal is to try to provide additional opportunities to preserve historic resources. He added that the uses described in the ordinance would still require a conditional use hearing. There was no public comment. There was some disagreement among Board members with regard to these amendments. After some discussion, Mr. Kuhn moved to pass the amendments back to the Planning Commission to revise them. Mr. Allen voiced his objection, stating the Board needs to decide on the matter.
Mr. Oeste marked Exhibits B1-B8, and Elizabeth Witmer, Esq., entered Exhibits A1-A2. There was a question from the Board as to whether the appropriate homeowners were notified, so Mr. Oeste recommended they not proceed until the December 1, 2003 meeting. By that time, the additional parties could be notified. Mrs. Witmer voiced her objection. The hearing was continued to December 1, 2003.
Mr. Comitta described the ordinance amendments and asked for public comment. There being none, the hearing was closed. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt ordinance #113-2003, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Comitta described the ordinance amendments and asked for public comment. There being none, the hearing was closed. Mr. Kuhn moved to adopt ordinance #114-2003, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn summarized the benefit plan and indicated the Township is obligated to pay Mrs. Csete based on her final average salary of the last 5 years of service. Currently the plan is earning 1.5-2% interest. The plan administrator is asking the Board of Supervisors if they want to stay in a fixed interest situation or move to a fund which contains a blend of stocks and bonds. Mr. Kuhn recommended a 50/50, stock/bond mix. He said if the results of this mix are favorable, the funding liability decreases, but if the reverse is true, the funding liability would increase. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve a 50/50, stock/bond investment, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the advertising of the intent to appoint a Certified Public Accountant to audit the accounts for the year 2003, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn moved to approve a 6-month lease renewal for the residents of the Brightside Farm, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Board of Supervisors broke for an Executive Session at 9:56 P.M. and reconvened at 10:11 P.M.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the awarding of a contract to Berks County Barn Builders to perform emergency structural repairs and make the Brightside Farm weather tight subject to the following:
Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and Mr. Merriwether asked for clarification, which was provided. Mr. Hogan called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mrs. Ewald moved to approve the awarding of a contract to Davidson Electric for electrical repairs to the Brightside Farm in the amount of $6,341.50, and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kuhn said that people have been raving about the trail and park, and mentioned that the soft side of the trail is in need of wood chips. Mr. Hogan moved to approve the addition of wood chips, and Mrs. Ewald seconded. Mr. Hogan called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 P.M.